Western Australia’s hospitality elite gathered at Crown Towers on Monday night to celebrate the 2019 AHA & Aon Hospitality Awards for Excellence at the Byron Bay Premium Lager Gala Ball.
The Awards recognise the State’s leading hospitality venues and staff across 41 award categories, in the disciplines of community service, training, presentation, reinvention, food and bev and overall quality, at venues including pubs, hotels, small bars and restaurants.
Australian Hotels Association (WA) CEO Bradley Woods says those acknowledged represent the “pinnacle of hospitality”, coming at a time when customer expectations are higher than ever and the State strives to overcome post-mining boom economic challenges.
“WA’s hotels, bars, restaurants, pubs, taverns, wineries and breweries are offering patrons more than ever before, with exceptional food and beverage offerings complemented by world-class service.”
A traditional highlight of the evening, the esteemed Hospitality Industry Lifetime Achievement Award was presented to industry stalwart Danny Kapinkoff.
The dynamic Sneakers and Jeans group presented well on the night, taking individual awards at three of their five Perth venues, as well as the major prize for Group Venue Operator.
Based at The Flour Factory in the CBD, also operating Varnish on King, Hadiqa, Caballitos and Goody Twos, the AHA says each site is a unique offering, with its own style and personality. The group has exceptional team leaders renowned throughout the industry, and is very active in Accord and Association activities.
“Our hospitality industry is in many ways the face of WA – venues and staff across the state play a critical role in how we are perceived and in this regard the industry is excelling,” says Woods.
FULL LIST OF WINNERS
Community Service Award
Winner: The Marina Mindarie
The Lion Beer Australia Bar Presentation and Service Award
Winner: Whitfords Brewing Company, Hillarys
Highly Commended: The Lucky Shag Waterfront Bar
Aon Risk Solutions Responsible Service of Alcohol Award
Winner: Blanche Bar, Karratha
Training Initiative Award
Winner: Crown Perth, Burswood
Retail Bottleshop Award
Winner: Haynes Bar and Grill, Armadale
Draught Beer Quality Award
Winner: Petition – State Buildings, Perth
Small Bar Award
Winner: Varnish on King, Perth
Cocktail Bar Award
Winner: Tiki As FK, Northbridge
Late Night Venue Award
Winner: The Court, Perth
Environmental and Energy Efficiency Practice Award
Winner: The Marina Mindarie
Tourism Initiative Award
JOINT WINNERS
Winner: Settlers Tavern, Margaret River
Winner: VenuesLive for Optus Stadium, Burswood
Redeveloped Venue Award
JOINT WINNERS
Winner: The Lookout Bar Bowling Bites, Scarborough
Winner: The National Hotel, Fremantle
New Venue Award
Winner: Goody Two’s, Perth
Outdoor Area Award
Winner: Froth Craft Brewery, Exmouth
Boutique Brewery Award
Winner: Froth Craft Brewery, Exmouth
Conference and Functions Award
Winner: The Westin Perth
Social Media Activity Award
Winner: The Court, Perth
DINING AWARDS
WA’s Best Steak Sandwich Award
Winner: Karalee on Preston, Como
Contemporary Bar Menu Award
Winner: Market Grounds, Perth
Casual Pub Dining Award – Metropolitan
Winner: The Shoe Bar & Grill, Perth
Casual Pub Dining Award – Regional
Winner: Rambla Bar & Bistro, Wickham
Family Dining Award
Winner: The Henley Brook
Restaurant Award
Winner: Il Lido Italian Canteen, Cottesloe
Premium Restaurant Award
Winner: Wildflower – COMO The Treasury, Perth
Wine List Award
Winner: Settlers Tavern, Margaret River (Hall of Fame)
ENTERTAINMENT AWARDS
TAB Hotel/PubTAB Venue Award
Winner: Port Kennedy Tavern
Sporting Entertainment Venue Award
JOINT WINNERS
Winner: Crown Sports Bar – Crown Perth, Burswood
Winner: Varsity Bar Joondalup
Live Entertainment Venue Award
Winner: Rosemount Hotel, North Perth (Hall of Fame)
Themed Venue Award
Winner: Caballitos, Perth
EMPLOYEE AWARDS
Rising Star Award
Winner: Max Virgo – Matso’s Broome Brewery
Cookery Services Employee Award
Winner: Elijah D’Vauz – State Buildings, Perth
Highly Commended: Emily Turner – Rustlers Steakhouse and Grill, Albany
Head Chef Award
Winner: Leif Huru – Crown Perth, Burswood
Highly Commended: Nick Birrell – Mayfair Lane Pub & Dining Room, West Perth
Food and Beverage Services Employee Award
Winner: Angelina Bellingham – White Salt, Sorrento
Highly Commended: Joann Maybury – The Chase Bar and Bistro
Front Office and Administration Employee Award
Winner: Cara Maslin – Black Swan Winery, Henley Brook
Highly Commended: Karla de Almeida – RAC Arena, Perth
PubTAB Operator Award
Winner: Vanessa Bozanich – Eaton Tavern
Cocktail Bartender Award
Winner: Bjorn Karason – Tiki As FK, Northbridge
Excellence in Service Award
Winner: Lisa-Faye Tudhope-Wickham – Venues Live for Optus Stadium, Burswood
Highly Commended: Duangkamon (Dee) McDonough – State Buildings, Perth
Venue Manager Award
JOINT WINNERS
Winner: Lara Ducie – Blanche Bar, Karratha
Winner: Gregg McCumesky – The Henley Brook
Bar Team Award
Winner: Haynes Bar and Grill, Armadale
OVERALL AWARDS
Group Venue Operator Award
Winner: Sneakers & Jeans
WA’s Best Regional Hospitality Venue
Winner: Froth Craft Brewery (Hall Of Fame)
Perth’s Best Hospitality Venue
Winner: The Marina Mindarie
Hospitality Industry Lifetime Achievement Award
Winner: Danny Kapinkoff